Yesterday, Liberal Member of the Canadian Parliament Ya'ara Saks stated in front of the congregation that "Honk Honk" translates to "Heil Hitler," referencing the Honk Honk / Clown Pepe memes that have been surfacing on social media alongside the Canadain truckers part of the Freedom Convoy movement honking their horns as a form of protest.
Liberal MP says that “Honk Honk” is code for “Heil Hitler”. pic.twitter.com/1QwixmtBio
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 22, 2022
The ongoing anti-vaccination-mandate protest has continued to stir controversy over the past month, most recently because of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's invocation of the Emergencies Act, which has the potential to allow Trudeau and the Canadian government to freeze bank accounts of protestors, among other drastic measures. Yesterday, the Canadian Parliament voted in regards to the invocation, which is when Liberal MP Ya'ara Saks brought to light the meaning of "Honk Honk" on 4chan.
Post-meeting, Saks tweeted about her statement, citing the evidence of her claim. Essentially, she quote retweeted a July 2019 tweet from Twitter user Gwen Snyder, who uploaded evidence of a 4chan thread dating back to February 2019 that used an image of Clown Pepe, writing beneath it, "Honk Honk = HH."
For those who think that “Honk Honk”is some innocuous joke. I’ll just leave this here 🧵 https://t.co/aG0GDdzOkO
— Ya'ara Saks יערה זקס (@YaaraSaks) February 22, 2022
Let's start with a classic and a new variant: 88 and "HH" phrases like "honk honk."
They mean "heil hitler." H is the 8th letter of the alphabet, thus 88.
"Honk honk" is associated with the honkler and is often used "ironically" by alt-right trolls. pic.twitter.com/wEBzN4pau0— Gwen Snyder is uncivil (@gwensnyderPHL) July 10, 2019
After news outlet The Post Millenial referenced Saks' statement in an article, Twitter users reacted to the clip en masse. Many took the side of Saks, agreeing that the anti-Semitic undertones of the Convoy were troubling. Others felt that Saks and the other Liberal members of Parliament were being overly sensitive, looking into meanings and origins that were not rooted in reality.
If she’s telling the truth, that is disturbing.
— Nitzkiah b’ Avigdor Czarnecki ✡️✝️🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@Nickidewbear) February 22, 2022
That took only 3 years since it was planted on 4chan. pic.twitter.com/UDZxVawBiq
— mutatrum (@mutatrum) February 22, 2022
All horns must be changed immediately.
Also we cannot use the “Ahooga!” horn sound because it’s misogynistic.— Cliff (@realnyteams) February 22, 2022
I wonder how many times she rehearsed that line in the mirror thinking "yes that will sound so dramatic and smart at today's show and tell".
— Fathertime69 (@69Fathertime) February 22, 2022
Race-baiting Canadian MP says “Honk Honk is an acronym for Heil Hitler” pic.twitter.com/NCiKMnO5ov
— ᴍᴇᴍᴇᴍᴀʀ 🎨 (@ProjectMememar) February 22, 2022
Of course, others took a more humorous approach to their reactions, creating their own meanings for the initials "HH," like Hulk Hogan for example. In the end, however, it can be clearly seen in the 4chan thread referenced by Saks that Honk Honk memes, at one point in time and by one user, alluded to pro-Nazi sentiments.
As the protests develop now that Canada's House has upheld the Emergencies Act, more controversial meme trends could be coming.
Honk Honk is a code for Hulk Holgan , pls get it right
— Bernie-83 (@Ber46589873) February 22, 2022
Top Comments
Azelstan
Feb 22, 2022 at 10:55AM EST
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Feb 22, 2022 at 11:50AM EST